John w



(No Modl.)

J. w. DAVIS.

Patemted J an. 31

m W M N ATTORNEYS.

.Tn: NORRIS PEYERS co.. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASNINGTON, 04 c,

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JOHN \V. DAVIS, OF-NEW YORK, N. Y.

KITE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,949, dated J anuary 31, 1893.

Application filed April 18, 1892.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. DAVIS, of New York city, in the county and State. of New York, have invented a new and Improved Kite, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in kites, and the object of my invention is to produce a strong but collapsible kite, which may be folded into a small compass and carried easily on shipboard or in any place desired; and a further object of my invention is to construct a kite and connect it with the lines in such a way that it may be accurately kite embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of two kites hitched tandem; Fig. 3

is a rear elevation of the kite; and Fig. 4 is a View of the kite when collapsed and folded.

The kite frame is composed of a plurality of ribs 10, of equal length, although it is not absolutely essential that they be of the same.

tice, the cover is permanently secured to the extremities of one rib and detachably secured to the extremities of the other ribs, as this holds it always in place in relation to the ribs. The ribs 10 are provided on opposite sides of the center with notches 14, which receive the cords of the flying bridle, and the notches are Serial No. 429,382. (No model.)

in the flying lines 17, these being arranged parallel with each other, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the lines extend to the ground so as to enable the kite to be steered as described below.

At the bottom of the kite is a tail loop 18, which carries the tail 19, and the ends of the loop are secured to the lower ends of two of the kite ribs. If desired, the cross line 20 may connect the extremities of the two upper ends of the kite ribs, as shown in Fig. Landaline 21 may extend from the center of the cord to the ground, this construction enabling the kite to be steered so as to throwit up or down as desired.

When the kite is not in use the cover is removed from two of the ribs by detaching the cords 13, the ribs folded together, and the cover wrapped around them, as shown in Fig. 4, thus enabling the kite to be carried in a very small space.

The operation of the kite is as follows: The flying lines 17 which are attached to the bridles, enable the kite to be raised by the wind in the usualway, and by pulling upon one or the other of the lines 17, the kite may be given an inclination in relation to the direction of the wind which will cause it to be driven to the right or left as desired, and it may thus be very accurately steered. By pulling upon the line 21, or slackening the line as desired,the kite may be given a greater or less vertical inclination, and may thus present its surface at such an inclination to the wind that it may be forced up or down at will.

Instead of using the cord 21 and the cross cord 20, the bridles may be arranged one above the other, and the lines 17 one above the other, and this arrangement will enable the kite to be steered in a vertical direction.

On account of its easy handling, the kite is especially adapted to carry a life line, or to tow a buoy or similar article, and to give increased power, several kites may be hitched tandem, as shown in Fig. 2, and in this case the lines 17 of the rear kite are secured to the middle rib 10 of the kite frame in front of it, but care should be taken that the lines 17 be hitched to the rib at equal distances from the center of the kite and in a horizontal line. It follows, then, that any movements of the front kite will be transmitted to the kite behind it,

andvif desired, any number of kites may be used in this way.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,-

1. A kite, comprising a plurality of ribs pivoted together near the center, a detachable cover for the kite, and bridles secured to the kite on opposite sides of its center, the bridles Witnesses:

R. S. THOMAS, APPLETON P. LYON. 

